Arizona Hunting Calendar December 2021

Compiled By Margie Anderson

ARIZONA BIG GAME SUPER RAFFLE: If you win, you can hunt AZ big game species for 365 days. Get raffle tickets for elk, antelope, Coues, mule deer, black bear, desert bighorn sheep, buffalo, mountain lion, javelina, turkey. Go to http://www.arizonabiggamesuperraffle.com.Drawing to be held December 7, 2021. Go to the website to see details about the raffle and additional prizes and raffles.

2021-22 Fees:

General Hunting, resident: $37 Non-resident: not available see combination

Combination Hunt and fish, resident: $57 Non-resident: $160

Youth combination hunt and fish (ages 10-17), resident: $5 Non-resident: $5

Short-term combination license, resident: $15/day, Non-resident: $20/day

Community Fishing Licenses (aka Urban Fishing Licenses) are being phased out and will not be sold after December 31, 2021. If you buy one for $24 (resident and non-resident), it is good for 365 days from the date of purchase. In 2022 a general fishing license ($37/resident, $55/non-resident) will allow you to fish all waters.

There are also fees for permit-tags and nonpermit-tags. See the 2021-2022 Hunting Regulations at http://www.azgfd.com for details.

Report Vandalism: 1-800-VANDALS

Report poachers: Operation Game Thief 800-352-0700 rewards for information that results in an arrest.

Be sure to check the hunting regulations carefully before you hunt. Many of the following hunts have notes and legal requirements listed. You must check the regulations. Pick up a paper copy at outdoor stores, Game and Fish offices, or go online at http://www.azgfd.com and click on regulations to download the booklet. "Open areas" have restrictions beyond what is listed here. ALL HUNTS require a valid hunting license or combination license. Hunters under 10 need a license or they must be accompanied by an adult who possesses a valid license. Falconry-only hunts require a Sport Falconry License. See regulations for daily limits and bag limits. This calendar is for convenience only. You must read and follow the hunting regulations found in the booklets and pamphlets available at http://www.azgfd.com and at retailers where licenses are sold.

Mountain Lion: Aug 21,2021 – May 31, 2022 This hunt is held by zone, with zones having annual harvest limits. Seasons vary by zone. When the limit is reached, the hunt is over in that zone. You must call to report kills or check hunts before going hunting. There are also archery and pursuit-only tags available. See regulations for details on weapons, fees, zones, etc.

SMALL GAME:

Any tree squirrel except Mt. Graham red squirrel: Oct 1- Dec 31, 2021 Open areas statewide.

Tassel-eared tree squirrel Unit 31: July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021(year-round).

Tassel-eared tree squirrel Unit 33: Sept 1, 2020 – May 31, 2021.

Limited weapon tree squirrel, Shotgun shooting shot 11M: Oct 1 – Dec 31, 2021 see regulations

Archery-only tree squirrel: Aug 20 – Sept 30, 2021 Open areas state wide except 12A, 12B, 13A,

Falconry-only tree squirrel: Aug 20 – Dec 31, 2021 Open areas statewide excluding National Wildlife Refuges and Units 31 and 33)

See regulations for these hunts

Cottontail rabbit: July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022 (year-round) Open areas statewide except National Wildlife Refuges, and 11M, 25M, 26M, and 38M. Any cottontail.

Cottontail rabbit in Buenos Aires, and Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuges:Jul 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022 (year-found) any cottontail rabbit.

Cottontail rabbit in Cibola, Havasu, and Imperial National Wildlife Refuges: Sept 1, 2021 – Feb 6, 2022 any cottontail rabbit.

Cottontail rabbit in Kofa National Wildlife Refuge: Oct 15, 2021 – Feb 6, 2022 any cottontail rabbit.

Cottontail rabbit in Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge: Oct 15, 2021 – Feb 24, 2022. Any cottontail rabbit.

Cottontail rabbit limited weapon (shotgun shooting shot):year-round. Open areas except National Wildlife Refuges) any cottontail rabbit.

Cottontail rabbit limited weapon shotgun shooting shot San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge an Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge: Sept 1, 2021 – Feb 6, 2022

Falconry-only cottontail rabbit: year-round. Open areas except National Wildlife Refuges any cottontail rabbit.

PREDATORY AND FUR-BEARING MAMMALS

Coyote and skunk: year-round. Open areas statewide except National Wildlife Refuges and Units 11M, 25M, 26M, and 38M.

Coyote and skunk Buenos Aires Wildlife Refuge: year-round

Coyote, Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge: year-round

Coyote and skunk Kofa and Imperial Wildlife Refuges: Oct 15 2021 – Feb 6, 2022.

Raccoon, bobcat, foxes, ringtail, weasel, and badger Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge: Aug 1, 2021 – March 31, 2022.

Coyote, skunks, raccoon, bobcat, gray fox, ringtail, and badger Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge Aug 20, 2021 – Feb 24, 2022

Coyote in 4A, 4B north of I-40, 5A,5A, 5B, 8, 10, 12A, 12B, 13A, 13B, 15A, 15B, 15C, 15D, 16A, 17A, 17B, 18A, 18B, 19A, 19B, 20A, 31, 32, 42, and 44A: Dec 1, 2021 – May 31, 2022

Bobcats and foxes Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge Aug 1, 2021 – March 31, 2022

Coyote and skunk limited weapon (shotgun shooting shot): year-round. Open areas statewide except National Wildlife Refuges.

Raccoon, bobcat, foxes, ringtail, weasel, and badgerlimited weapon (shotgun shooting shot): Aug 1, 2021 – March 31, 2022 Open areas statewide except National Wildlife Refuges.

Pursuit-only raccoon: June 1- July 31 2021 and April 1 – June 30, 2022. Open areas statewide except National Wildlife Refuges.

OTHER BIRDS AND MAMMALS

House sparrow and European starling: year-round. Open areas statewide except National Wildlife Refuges and Units 11M, 25M, 26M, and 38M.

Crow 1, 2C, 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11M, 17A, 17B, 18A, 18B, 19B (excluding National Wildlife Refuges): Sept 1, 2021 – Dec 31, 2021

Coati: Sep 1, 2021 - Mar 31, 2022Open areas statewide except National Wildlife Refuges and Units 11M, 25M, 26M, and 38M.

Coati, Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge: Sept 1, 2021 – March 31, 2022

Coati, Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge: Sept 1, 2021 – Feb 24, 2022

Gunnison's prairie dog: July 1, 2021 – Mar 31, 2022Open areas north of the Gila River excluding National Wildlife Refuges, and Units 11M, 25M, 26M, and 38M)

All mammals EXCEPT game mammals, fur-bearing mammals, predatory mammals, bats, coati, black-footedferret, New Mexico jumping mouse, Gunnison's prairie dog, black-tailed prairie dog, jaguar, jaguarundi, ocelot, otter, porcupine and wolves: year-round. Open areas Statewide (excluding National Wildlife Refuges, Units 11M, 25M, 26M, and 38M)

Jackrabbit Open Areas statewide including Buenos Aires and Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife refuges, excluding all other Refuges and Units 11M, 25M, 26M, and 38M: year-round

Black-tailed Jackrabbit, Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge: Aug 20, 2021 – Feb 24, 2022.

Limited weapon (shotgun shooting shot) English house sparrows and European starling: year-round. Open areas statewide except National Wildlife Refuges.

Limited weapon (shotgun shooting shot) Gunnison's prairie dog Unit 11M: year-round.

Limited weapon (shotgun shooting shot) All mammals EXCEPT game mammals, furbearing mammals, predatory mammals, bats, coati, black-footedferret, New Mexico jumping mouse, Gunnison's prairie dog, black-tailed prairie dog, jaguar, jaguarundi, ocelot, otter, porcupine and wolves: year-round. Open areas statewide except National Wildlife Refuges.

Falconry-only seasons for Sparrows and Starlings, crow, coati, Gunnison's Prairie Dog, others: see regulations.

PHEASANT HUNTING see azgfd.gov for info on where to hunt pheasants in AZ and limits.

Archery-only pheasant Oct 15, 2021 – Feb 6, 2022 Open areas statewide except National Wildlife Refuges. Any pheasant.

Falconry-only pheasant: Sept 13, 2021 – Feb 6, 2022Open areas statewide except National Wildlife Refuges. Any pheasant.

QUAIL HUNTING see regulations for limits and notes

Gambels, Scaled, and California quail: Oct 15,2021 – Feb 6, 2022. Open areas statewide except National Wildlife Refuges.

Gambels, Scaled, and California quailBill Williams River, Cabeza Prieta, Cibola, Havasu, Imperial, Kofa, Leslie Canyon, and San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuges:Oct 15, 2021 – Feb 6, 2022.

Mearns' quail: Dec 3, 2021 – Feb 6, 2022 Open areas statewide except National Wildlife Refuges.

Falconry-only quail: Sept 1, 2021 – March 3, 2022Open areas Statewide (excluding National Wildlife Refuges and Units 11M, 25M, 26M, and 38M) Any quail

Falconry-only quail 25M, 26M, and 38M: Jul 1, 2021 – Mar 31, 2022 Any quail.

DOVE HUNTING Dove hunters are required to have an Arizona Migratory Bird Stamp in addition to their hunting license.

Statewide late dove season: November 19, 2021 – January 2, 2022. Mourning doves only. Daily bag limit 15. Possession limit 45.

Eurasian collared doves may be hunted year round with no daily bag or possession limits.

Chukar Partridge Sept 1, 2021 - Feb 6, 2022. Any chukar. Open areas statewide except National Wildlife Refuges.

WATERFOWL AND SNIPE HUNTERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE AN ARIZONA MIGRATORY BIRD STAMP AND A FEDERAL DUCK STAMP IN ADDITION TO THEIR HUNTING LICENSE. You can get an Arizona stamp where you buy your license. The Federal Duck Stamp is available at outdoor retailers, many national wildlife refuges, the Post Office, and online through Amplex at http://www.duckstamp.com. Call stores and post offices to make sure they sell them before you go.

WATERFOWL AND SNIPE

Ducks including mergansers, coots, common moorhens, including white geese (snow, blue, and Ross') and dark geese (Canada and white-fronted), excluding scaup:

General Waterfowl:

Oct 23, 2020 – Jan 31, 2021, Desert Zone: Those portions of Units 6 and 8 within Yavapai County and Units 10 and 12B through 46B.

Oct 2, 2020 – Jan 10, 2021, Mountain Zone: units 1-5, 7, 9, 11M, 12A, and the portions of units 6 and 8 within Coconino County.

Scaup: Desert Zone November 7, 2020 – January 31, 2021.

Scaup: Mountain Zone Oct 17, 2020 – Jan 10, 2021.

SNIPE: (see waterfowl for definitions of Desert and Mountain zones)

Desert Zone: Oct 23, 2020 – Jan 31, 2021.

Mountain Zone: Oct 2, 2020 – Jan 10, 2021

SANDHILL CRANE hunting is by permit only. Hunts are in November and December. Apply online by June 8, 2020.

REPTILES A hunting or combination license is required for taking reptiles. A Fishing or combination license is required for taking softshell turtles. See regulations booklet for list of legal reptiles and taking methods.

General Reptiles: year-round – see regulations for areas, limits, and closed areas.

BIG GAME HUNTING: see regulations for information on hunts and dates. Big game hunting is by permit only. To see draw odds go to http://www.azgfd.com/Hunting/surveydata/

DEER HUNTING We have two kinds of deer: Coues' whitetail and mule deer. Hunting is by permit only. Resident permit tags are $58, non-resident $315. Apply online.Hunts vary in length and are in October, November, and December. Specialty hunts include archery, muzzleloader, CHAMP (Challenged Hunter Access Mobility Permit), and youth hunts. There are also archery-only non-permit tags that can be bought over the counter. See the regulations for information about those permits.

Archery-only non permit-tag deer seasons are in August-September, December, and January. See the 2021-2022 regulations for details.

ANTELOPE Seasons vary by unit and are in August and September. Antelope hunting is by permit-tag only. Applications for permits are generally in January.

BIGHORN SHEEP Sheep tags are notoriously hard to get. Apply online. Season dates vary and fall in October through December. See regulations.

Spring Turkey applications were accepted through October 13, 2020. Tags will be mailed out by December 4. Hunts vary by unit and occur in April and May.See the spring regulations for details. Archery-only nonpermit-tag required Turkey is Aug 20-Sept 9, in certain areas only. See regulations for restrictions and requirements.

BEAR General Bear seasons are August – December.

You can buy a non-permit tag for bear over the counter. Seasons vary by unit and units close when the quota is reached. You are responsible to call and report kills and also call before hunting to make sure the unit is still open. See regulations for details. There are also archery-only non-permit tags and those hunts are in late August through September. There is an annual limit to female bear harvests in each area. See the regulations for info.

Spring bear hunts are during March – May. Archery is May – July. Tags will be mailed out by December 4. See the spring regulations for details.

JAVELINA Fall javelina season is in October – December. Apply online. See regulations for info.

Archery-only nonpermit-tag javelina Aug 20 – Dec 31, 2021 1, 2A, 2B,2C, 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 6A north, 7, 9, and 11M. See regulations

General nonpermit-tag required spring javelina July 1-Dec 31, 2021 39 South, 40B, 41, 43A, and 43B. See 2021-22 regulations for exclusions and regulations.

ELK Seasons vary by unit and are in September – December. Non-permit tags are also available and applications are generally in January.

BISON Seasons vary in length and are in November and December. There are also limited opportunity permits for general, muzzleloader, and archery. Those hunts also vary in length and are in late August – December. See regulations.Apply online

Spring bison hunts are in January, April-June, July, and August, depending on unit. Tags will be mailed out by December 4, 2020.

Mountain Lion Aug 20, 2021 – May 31, 2022 Statewide excluding National Wildlife Refuges, Mohave County Park Lands, and units 11M, 25M, 26M, and 38M. Any lion except spotted kittens or females accompanied by spotted kittens.

Archery-only mountain lion Aug 20, 2021 – May 31, 2022 Units 11M, 25M, 26M, and 38M. Any lion except spotted kittens or females accompanied by spotted kittens.

Pursuit-only mountain lion Aug 20, 2020 – May 31, 2022Statewide excluding National Wildlife Refuges, Mohave County Park Lands, and units 11M, 25M, 26M, and 38M. Any lion except spotted kittens or females accompanied by spotted kittens.

See the regulations for mountain lion harvest limits. When the harvest limit is reached, that unit will close to hunting. You are responsible for checking online at http://www.azgfd.gov/lionhunting or call 1-877-438-0447 before hunting to find out if management zones are closed.

NONPERMIT TAGS – PURCHASE OVER THE COUNTER

Archery Turkey

Youth-only turkey

Bear

Mountain lion

Archery Javelina

Elk

Archery deer

Bobcat seal (for sale or export)

See the regulations for information on these non-permit tags and prices.

POPULATION MANAGEMENT HUNTS

To be put in the hunter pool for population management hunts, fill out the form found in the regulations. You need to re-submit every year.